Catholic-Christian Meta-Model of the Person (CCMMP)

Development of foundational document: “Theological and Philosophical Premises for a Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person”

While elaborating a basic training approach for integrating a Catholic understanding of the human person, psychology, and mental health practice, the DMU has articulated a series of basic principles for a Meta-Model of the human person. This Meta-Model is the fruit of a longstanding and concerted effort of the University’s faculty, with input from its student body and outside collaborators as well.

It is important to note that these premises are theological and philosophical and that they underlie an integrative mindset and approach that serve research, theory, and clinical practice in the mental health field.

A comprehensive publication (textbook volume) on the Meta-Model’s support from psychological theory and research, as well as applications in clinical practice is forthcoming (see below).

All Faculty Integration Study Group

The Department of Integrative Studies is dedicated to the renewal of the Catholic Christian intellectual tradition and the integration of the theoretical and empirical bases of psychology and counseling with a Catholic-Christian view of the human person. In order to articulate such an integrated vision, the DMU faculty meets regularly in a research group called the “All Faculty Study Group.” Because these meetings involve not only psychologists and counselors–both clinicians and theoreticians–but also statisticians, philosophers, and theologians, they are inherently multidisciplinary.

Integrative Course Development Team

The members of the Department of Integrative Studies participate in the development and refinement of courses in the Institute for the Psychological Sciences’ M.S. in Psychology program and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program, as well as the School of Counseling’ M.S. in Counseling program

Foundational Training in the Meta-Model for Faculty and Staff

The Department of Integrative Studies provides foundational and on-going training in the Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person for faculty and staff.

Faculty-Student Case Conceptualization Series

Annually, the Department holds a series of faculty-student case conceptualization sessions. Different formats and theoretical approaches are used in order to explore the benefit that the Meta-Model offer for understanding the client’s life narrative. A person-narrative formulation provides a rich understanding of the person’s callings, character, functioning, and diversity to assure a more complete clinical assessment and diagnosis, and treatment formulation.

Textbook Volume on Meta-Model: A Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person for Psychology and Mental Health Practice

A forthcoming textbook volume entitled: A Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person for Psychology and Mental Health Practice will provide the psychological, philosophical, and theological supports for and practical applications of the Meta-Model of the Person.

Divine Mercy University (DMU) is developing a peer-reviewed journal named the “Catholic Journal of Psychology and Mental Health Practice: A Multidisciplinary Journal of Catholic Christian Integration.” The Journal will be a scholarly journal that promotes a model of psychology, psychotherapy and counseling theory, and mental health practice grounded in an integral Catholic vision of the human person, family, and society. As a specifically Catholic voice in print, it will contribute to the field and extend the mission of DMU and its schools of psychology and counseling to larger academic and professional communities. The Journal will also recognize and dialogue with the rich integrative scholarship of the broader Judeo-Christian tradition within the mental health field. A steering committee made up of faculty members from the IPS, the School of Counseling, and the Department of Integrative Studies (DIS) are collaborating in this important academic endeavor, under the coordination of Craig Steven Titus, S.T.D., Ph.D., Professor and Director of the DIS. The journal is scheduled to be launched in January of 2019.

Dissemination of Meta-Model through Scholarship and Presentations

The integrative work of the DMU faculty has also given rise to ideas for: new research paradigms; integrated psychological assessment tools; new therapeutic modalities; and helpful ways of relating theology, philosophy, counseling, and psychology.

The Department of Integrative Studies has planned collaborative research initiatives, which will embody an integrated understanding of the human person, and which it is hoped will yield further evidence of the value of the Catholic-Christian Meta-Model of the Person in integrating psychology, counseling, and a Catholic understanding of the human person.

The faculty has published theories and research in a growing number of articles and chapters, including:

Paul C. Vitz, William J. Nordling, and Craig Steven Titus. (forthcoming). A Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person for Psychology and Mental Health Practice. This textbook volume will provide the psychological, philosophical, and theological supports for and practical applications of the Meta-Model of the Person.

Divine Mercy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award masters and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Divine Mercy University.